Thomson up and down in Braves' loss
MIAMI - With the eyes of the baseball world focused up the Atlantic coastline to a place with bahs, cahs and pahks, you had to look around and wonder what happened here, in this place that was expected to be in full playoff pandemonium.

Thomson up and down in Braves' loss
MIAMI - With the eyes of the baseball world focused up the Atlantic coastline to a place with bahs, cahs and pahks, you had to look around and wonder what happened here, in this place that was expected to be in full playoff pandemonium.

Workers back on job for Boeing
CHICAGO - Boeing Co. welcomed back airplane assembly workers after a four-week strike but faced another potential contract showdown Friday with engineers and technical workers, whose walkout five years ago hurt production.

Investor optimism sends stocks higher
NEW YORK - Stocks rallied strongly Thursday as investors grew more confident about the prospects for the economy despite the impact of hurricanes Rita and Katrina.

Pfizer to close Augusta plant
Pfizer Inc. will close its Augusta pharmaceutical plant in early 2006, citing a failed attempt to sell the facility as an ongoing operation, company officials announced Thursday.

Investor optimism sends stocks higher
NEW YORK - Stocks rallied strongly Thursday as investors grew more confident about the prospects for the economy despite the impact of hurricanes Rita and Katrina.

Pfizer to close Augusta plant
Pfizer Inc. will close its Augusta pharmaceutical plant in early 2006, citing a failed attempt to sell the facility as an ongoing operation, company officials announced Thursday.

Saving Pfizer's workers
From the moment Pfizer Inc. announced a year ago July that it would be shutting down its Augusta pharmaceutical plant, optimism was high that a buyer could be found for the 30-acre facility, thus saving the nearly 200 high-paid jobs there - scientists, engineers and technicians.

Playing Katrina politics
There is extremism in both political parties. But since they've been voted out of power in Washington, Democrats have let extremists take control of their party and extremism to blind the party to reason.

Saving Pfizer's workers
From the moment Pfizer Inc. announced a year ago July that it would be shutting down its Augusta pharmaceutical plant, optimism was high that a buyer could be found for the 30-acre facility, thus saving the nearly 200 high-paid jobs there - scientists, engineers and technicians.

No immunity for this
David Graves, at the insistence of his GOP colleagues, has stepped back from the precipice. He has instructed his lawyer to drop his "immunity from arrest" defense against a drunken driving charge.

No immunity for this
David Graves, at the insistence of his GOP colleagues, has stepped back from the precipice. He has instructed his lawyer to drop his "immunity from arrest" defense against a drunken driving charge.

Wrong man, right point
During Katrina and its flooded aftermath, no one was in over his head more than Michael Brown.

Playing Katrina politics
There is extremism in both political parties. But since they've been voted out of power in Washington, Democrats have let extremists take control of their party and extremism to blind the party to reason.

GOP control in trouble
A grand jury indictment has a threshold somewhere just above sea level. And on Wednesday, the levee broke for Tom DeLay.

People in the News
NEW YORK - Tara Reid wants to prove she's a great actress instead of a party girl.

Charlize Theron gets star on walk of fame
LOS ANGELES - Oscar winner Charlize Theron's career came full circle Thursday when she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame only blocks from where she was first "discovered."

Charlize Theron gets star on walk of fame
LOS ANGELES - Oscar winner Charlize Theron's career came full circle Thursday when she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame only blocks from where she was first "discovered."

Law requires bankruptcy filers to seek credit counseling
NEW YORK - Separated from her husband and struggling to buy food and other necessities for herself and two daughters, Bridget Glover watched in horror as her credit card bills mounted. She thought filing for bankruptcy would be the only way out.

General Motors ends employee discount program
DETROIT - General Motors Corp., the world's biggest automaker, is ending its popular discount program that let buyers pay the same price its employees pay for vehicles throughout the summer.

Law requires bankruptcy filers to seek credit counseling
NEW YORK - Separated from her husband and struggling to buy food and other necessities for herself and two daughters, Bridget Glover watched in horror as her credit card bills mounted. She thought filing for bankruptcy would be the only way out.

General Motors ends employee discount program
DETROIT - General Motors Corp., the world's biggest automaker, is ending its popular discount program that let buyers pay the same price its employees pay for vehicles throughout the summer.

Clematis can be spectacular in fall
Say "clematis" and most people think of wiry vines drenched in blossoms early in the season. But you could also conjure up this flowery image for late summer and fall.

Ornamental peppers perfect for fall
Much of the country is entering its second planting season, bringing many choices to liven up tired landscapes. There are mums and marigolds, salvias of all sorts, late-season zinnias and one of my favorites, the ornamental pepper.

Clematis can be spectacular in fall
Say "clematis" and most people think of wiry vines drenched in blossoms early in the season. But you could also conjure up this flowery image for late summer and fall.

Nematodes wreak havoc on gardens
There is a silent killer (or at least "stunter") in the landscape. Do you ever see certain plants that have poor growth? Uneven stands? Chlorosis and yellowing foliage? Wilting? If so, you might have nematodes.

Nematodes wreak havoc on gardens
There is a silent killer (or at least "stunter") in the landscape. Do you ever see certain plants that have poor growth? Uneven stands? Chlorosis and yellowing foliage? Wilting? If so, you might have nematodes.

Ornamental peppers perfect for fall
Much of the country is entering its second planting season, bringing many choices to liven up tired landscapes. There are mums and marigolds, salvias of all sorts, late-season zinnias and one of my favorites, the ornamental pepper.

Lincoln County rolls to region win
Lincoln County started the season with three losses in a row, but when you consider the Class A Red Devils played schools from Class AA, Class AAA and Class AAAA, the losses are a little easier to take.

Rebels' defense crushes Eagles
JOHNSTON, S.C. - It takes a heck of a defensive game to get top billing in a win considering the 488 yards of offense Strom Thurmond rolled up Friday in a 37-0 waylaying of Chapin.

Friday's schedule
Schedule for Firday's Georgia and South Carolina prep football teams.

Patriots perform in must-win game
MONTICELLO, Ga. - Westside coach Gerald Barnes told his players this was a game they "had to win," and the Patriots delivered on the road in Region 7-AA.

On the radio
- 7 p.m.-David Emmanuel at Thomas Jefferson Academy (WPEH-FM 92.1)

On the radio
- 7 p.m.-David Emmanuel at Thomas Jefferson Academy (WPEH-FM 92.1)

Prep football poll
The area's top 10 prep football teams this week as voted on by members of The Augusta Chronicle and WJBF NewsChannel 6 sports departments, plus selected other media outlets around the area. A first-place vote is worth 10 points; a 10th-place vote is worth one point. First-place votes are in parentheses.

Area teams get marks at midseason
It's halftime. If entire football seasons are seen as a game, the first half is over. Area teams have played over 120 games through the first six weeks of the season.

Cross Creek blanks Butler
Butler proved to be the perfect Homecoming opponent for Cross Creek on Friday night. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, it was their own festivities that were ruined as the Razorbacks blanked Butler 44-0 at Bulldog Stadium.

Rebels' defense crushes Eagles
JOHNSTON, S.C. - It takes a heck of a defensive game to get top billing in a win considering the 488 yards of offense Strom Thurmond rolled up Friday in a 37-0 waylaying of Chapin.

Patriots perform in must-win game
MONTICELLO, Ga. - Westside coach Gerald Barnes told his players this was a game they "had to win," and the Patriots delivered on the road in Region 7-AA.

Area teams get marks at midseason
It's halftime. If entire football seasons are seen as a game, the first half is over. Area teams have played over 120 games through the first six weeks of the season.

Lincoln County rolls to region win
Lincoln County started the season with three losses in a row, but when you consider the Class A Red Devils played schools from Class AA, Class AAA and Class AAAA, the losses are a little easier to take.

Cross Creek blanks Butler
Butler proved to be the perfect Homecoming opponent for Cross Creek on Friday night. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, it was their own festivities that were ruined as the Razorbacks blanked Butler 44-0 at Bulldog Stadium.

Prep football poll
The area's top 10 prep football teams this week as voted on by members of The Augusta Chronicle and WJBF NewsChannel 6 sports departments, plus selected other media outlets around the area. A first-place vote is worth 10 points; a 10th-place vote is worth one point. First-place votes are in parentheses.

Team signs letter of intent to negotiate sale
ST. LOUIS - The owners of the St. Louis Blues signed a letter of intent to negotiate a sale with a group headed by the former chief executive officer of Madison Square Garden on Thursday.

Team signs letter of intent to negotiate sale
ST. LOUIS - The owners of the St. Louis Blues signed a letter of intent to negotiate a sale with a group headed by the former chief executive officer of Madison Square Garden on Thursday.

Your vote really makes a difference
"We the people, in order to form a more perfect union ... ." Does this sound familiar? Notice the word "people"? Margaret E. Paradiso, Augusta

School closings were a good idea
I normally find Bill Kirby's column light, entertaining and a must-read. However, his Sept. 27 article chastising Gov. Sonny Perdue for a two-day school closing ("Fuelish school closing is costly for the home team") is off the mark.Al Jones, Twin City

First communism - now terrorism
Ronald Reagan said in 1964, "We are at war with the most dangerous enemy that has ever faced mankind in his long climb from the swamp to the stars, and it has been said if we lose that war, and in doing so lose this way of freedom of ours, history will record with the greatest astonishment that those who had the most to lose did the least to prevent its happening. ... "Mike Fulford, Evans

Evidence proves creationism
Regarding Victor Reilly's Sept. 12 letter, "Evolution simply is more plausible": He states that believing in an intelligent being - God - is a matter of faith.Joe Rich, Evans

Theory of evolution still evolving
... In the past five to eight years, there has been a dramatic interest and concern about the public's perception of the theory of evolution. Art Beall, Evans

Your vote really makes a difference
"We the people, in order to form a more perfect union ... ." Does this sound familiar? Notice the word "people"? Margaret E. Paradiso, Augusta

Theory of evolution still evolving
... In the past five to eight years, there has been a dramatic interest and concern about the public's perception of the theory of evolution. Art Beall, Evans

First communism - now terrorism
Ronald Reagan said in 1964, "We are at war with the most dangerous enemy that has ever faced mankind in his long climb from the swamp to the stars, and it has been said if we lose that war, and in doing so lose this way of freedom of ours, history will record with the greatest astonishment that those who had the most to lose did the least to prevent its happening. ... "Mike Fulford, Evans

School closings were a good idea
I normally find Bill Kirby's column light, entertaining and a must-read. However, his Sept. 27 article chastising Gov. Sonny Perdue for a two-day school closing ("Fuelish school closing is costly for the home team") is off the mark.Al Jones, Twin City

Evidence proves creationism
Regarding Victor Reilly's Sept. 12 letter, "Evolution simply is more plausible": He states that believing in an intelligent being - God - is a matter of faith.Joe Rich, Evans

Fashion's favorite fall color is pink
NEW YORK - When most people think of October, they think about the bright reds, yellows and orange of the turning leaves, or the orange and black associated with Halloween. The fashion and beauty industries, though, think pink.

Fashion briefs
NEW YORK - Architect Frank Gehry will be working with much smaller objects than he's used to in a new partnership with Tiffany & Co.

WRX sedan balances power, civility
All-wheel drive is popular on sport utility vehicles and trucks, and it has been surfacing as a feature to improve traction and handling of luxury cars.

Italian designers look toward a bright future
MILAN, Italy - Italian designers seem keen on a fresh start. Far from the mainly black, body-clinging sexy look that has defined Italian style for more than a decade, the Milan fashion week for the Spring-Summer 2006 season is full of white, Mediterranean colors and frilly girlish styles.

GM shows off new SUVs
General Motors Corp. previewed its new full-size sport utility vehicle lineup last week. Some details:

DJs are designers' secret weapons
NEW YORK - Fashion shows are, obviously, about clothes. And models. And celebrities in the front row. But style doesn't begin and end with visuals: The unsung hero of any fashion show is the music.

Living briefs
Here's a look at some of your best entertainment bets for this weekend:

Automotive briefs
- Mazda said it has halted the sale and production of the 2006 Mazda5 crossover vehicle because a potential heat buildup in the exhaust system could lead to a fire. The Mazda5 seats six but is smaller than a typical minivan. Three fires reportedl;y appeared to have started around the left rear bumper.

Fashion briefs
NEW YORK - Architect Frank Gehry will be working with much smaller objects than he's used to in a new partnership with Tiffany & Co.

Italian designers look toward a bright future
MILAN, Italy - Italian designers seem keen on a fresh start. Far from the mainly black, body-clinging sexy look that has defined Italian style for more than a decade, the Milan fashion week for the Spring-Summer 2006 season is full of white, Mediterranean colors and frilly girlish styles.

Fashion's favorite fall color is pink
NEW YORK - When most people think of October, they think about the bright reds, yellows and orange of the turning leaves, or the orange and black associated with Halloween. The fashion and beauty industries, though, think pink.

Living briefs
Here's a look at some of your best entertainment bets for this weekend:

GM shows off new SUVs
General Motors Corp. previewed its new full-size sport utility vehicle lineup last week. Some details:

Automotive briefs
- Mazda said it has halted the sale and production of the 2006 Mazda5 crossover vehicle because a potential heat buildup in the exhaust system could lead to a fire. The Mazda5 seats six but is smaller than a typical minivan. Three fires reportedl;y appeared to have started around the left rear bumper.

DJs are designers' secret weapons
NEW YORK - Fashion shows are, obviously, about clothes. And models. And celebrities in the front row. But style doesn't begin and end with visuals: The unsung hero of any fashion show is the music.

Augusta area's weekend events
A host of area festivals and high gas prices usher in October today. The good news is, most of the festivals are an inexpensive good time, if you can afford the gas to get there.

Flu shot clinics begin for those at high risk
Starting next week in Georgia, health departments will begin offering flu shots to those at greatest risk from influenza, with South Carolina following suit later in the month. Georgia is putting a particular emphasis on protecting young children, the state's public health chief said.

Man, wife fight ALS with walk for cash
Tom Davis dreamed the other night of playing Augusta National Golf Club. Another night, he dreamed he was back in his plane, flying. These days, those dreams are as close as he can get to the things he used to enjoy.

Across the Southeast
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - A former analyst for the National Institutes of Health pleaded guilty to making an anthrax threat against a county agency during a tax dispute.

Views on SPLOST report mixed
A status report on $153.6 million in unspent money from the first four phases of Augusta's special purpose sales tax programs is out, to mixed reviews.

Across the area
A Columbia County grand jury upgraded charges against a Martinez man accused of running over a bicyclist who later died, according to court documents released Thursday.

Woman accused of defrauding Red Cross
AIKEN - Police are looking for a woman accused of scamming the Aiken chapter of the American Red Cross by claiming to be a victim of Hurricane Katrina.

Festival rules change
BURNETTOWN - The annual Horse Creek/Midland Valley Sassafras Festival kicks off tonight in Burnettown, where it's being held for the 11th year in a row despite complaints from some residents and business owners.

Counties expect to pay part of police assistance
Although officials say state and local governments will reimburse certain costs involved with sending deputies from Columbia and Richmond counties to Mississippi, both counties initially will have to fork out some money for labor costs.

Flu shot clinics begin for those at high risk
Starting next week in Georgia, health departments will begin offering flu shots to those at greatest risk from influenza, with South Carolina following suit later in the month. Georgia is putting a particular emphasis on protecting young children, the state's public health chief said.

Group helps storm's animal victims
KINGSLAND, Ga. - To some, they are the forgotten victims of Hurricane Katrina: Stray pets wandering the streets in towns in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi devastated by the storm, animals brought to shelters by their owners whose homes were destroyed, hoping their pets are adopted before they are euthanized.

4-H camp gives shelter from storm
EATONTON, Ga. - The Rock Eagle 4-H Camp's guests usually include businessmen, churchgoers and students. For most of September, though, the Putnam County camp played host to visitors of a different sort - evacuees from New Orleans.

4-H camp gives shelter from storm
EATONTON, Ga. - The Rock Eagle 4-H Camp's guests usually include businessmen, churchgoers and students. For most of September, though, the Putnam County camp played host to visitors of a different sort - evacuees from New Orleans.

Man, wife fight ALS with walk for cash
Tom Davis dreamed the other night of playing Augusta National Golf Club. Another night, he dreamed he was back in his plane, flying. These days, those dreams are as close as he can get to the things he used to enjoy.

Return of tax pumps up prices
On the last day of state tax-free gasoline in Georgia, officials said the state should expect to fork out more money to absorb the higher costs of fuel for school systems.

Across Georgia
ATHENS - An Athens firearms dealer has asked a federal court to prevent the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives from revoking the dealer's license to sell guns.

Across Georgia
CARTERSVILLE - Eight Emerson police officers remained on staff Thursday, a day after the city's police chief and five other officers resigned amid tensions with the department and the new city manager.

Gas tax break ending tonight
ATLANTA - With the statewide moratorium on gas taxes expiring at midnight, state officials and convenience stores are scrambling to figure out how to start charging the taxes again without sparking new fears of price gouging.

Augusta area's weekend events
A host of area festivals and high gas prices usher in October today. The good news is, most of the festivals are an inexpensive good time, if you can afford the gas to get there.

Across South Carolina
GREENWOOD - A dog checking for drugs instead found a bomb inside a student's pickup at a Greenwood School District 50 career center, authorities say.

Counties fare well in round of exams
Students in Aiken County outperformed the rest of South Carolina in the Advanced Placement test results released Friday, while Richmond County improved countywide and had more students take the test.

Across the area
A Columbia County grand jury upgraded charges against a Martinez man accused of running over a bicyclist who later died, according to court documents released Thursday.

Augusta sees dry September
That quick little mid-week rainstorm did little for area flower beds, but it did keep September 2005 out of the record books.

Suit against jail is settled
A lawsuit filed on behalf of a paraplegic who claimed his health seriously deteriorated after a short stay in the Richmond County jail has been settled.

Group helps storm's animal victims
KINGSLAND, Ga. - To some, they are the forgotten victims of Hurricane Katrina: Stray pets wandering the streets in towns in Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi devastated by the storm, animals brought to shelters by their owners whose homes were destroyed, hoping their pets are adopted before they are euthanized.

Return of tax pumps up prices
On the last day of state tax-free gasoline in Georgia, officials said the state should expect to fork out more money to absorb the higher costs of fuel for school systems.

Gas tax break ending tonight
ATLANTA - With the statewide moratorium on gas taxes expiring at midnight, state officials and convenience stores are scrambling to figure out how to start charging the taxes again without sparking new fears of price gouging.

News you can use
Activities and entertainment events scheduled for this week include:

Festival rules change
BURNETTOWN - The annual Horse Creek/Midland Valley Sassafras Festival kicks off tonight in Burnettown, where it's being held for the 11th year in a row despite complaints from some residents and business owners.

Across Georgia
CARTERSVILLE - Eight Emerson police officers remained on staff Thursday, a day after the city's police chief and five other officers resigned amid tensions with the department and the new city manager.

Counties expect to pay part of police assistance
Although officials say state and local governments will reimburse certain costs involved with sending deputies from Columbia and Richmond counties to Mississippi, both counties initially will have to fork out some money for labor costs.

Across South Carolina
MANNING - A warm teddy bear helped lead Clarendon County deputies to a man wanted for an armed robbery and carjacking.

Views on SPLOST report mixed
A status report on $153.6 million in unspent money from the first four phases of Augusta's special purpose sales tax programs is out, to mixed reviews.

Budget consultant selected
ATLANTA - Taxpayers could reap $135 million in savings over four years on what the state government buys if a contract announced Friday meets expectations.

Counties fare well in round of exams
Students in Aiken County outperformed the rest of South Carolina in the Advanced Placement test results released Friday, while Richmond County improved countywide and had more students take the test.

Barton's Pond coming back to Aiken
AIKEN - An upcoming restoration project in Hitchcock Woods will stem erosion along the Sand River and revive a historic feature of the city landmark.

Overtime
USC Aiken is again atop the Golf Coaches Association of America/Bridgestone Top 25 coaches poll.

Overtime
USC Aiken is again atop the Golf Coaches Association of America/Bridgestone Top 25 coaches poll.

Tarver wants to prove he's no one-punch wonder
TAMPA, Fla. - Antonio Tarver craves for respect as a boxer. The IBO light heavyweight champion insists he didn't get it after a stunning second-round knockout of Roy Jones Jr. in May 2004, so he hopes beating his longtime rival again will prove he's no one-punch wonder.

Overtime
Nadia Petrova defeated Kveta Peschke, of the Czech Republic, 6-3, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals of the Fortis Championships in Luxembourg.

Tarver wants to prove he's no one-punch wonder
TAMPA, Fla. - Antonio Tarver craves for respect as a boxer. The IBO light heavyweight champion insists he didn't get it after a stunning second-round knockout of Roy Jones Jr. in May 2004, so he hopes beating his longtime rival again will prove he's no one-punch wonder.

Overtime
Nadia Petrova defeated Kveta Peschke, of the Czech Republic, 6-3, 6-1 to reach the quarterfinals of the Fortis Championships in Luxembourg.

Synagogue membership fees deter some worshippers
ATLANTA - When the Jewish New Year begins at sundown Monday, Jews across the world will usher in a 10-day period of spiritual intensity called the Days of Awe to atone those they've wronged. To some, participating in the holy days also will make an impact on their wallets.

Burn victim will not let car accident ruin his life
Joel Sonnenberg was just 2 when a tractor-trailer veered into a line of cars at a New York tollbooth and turned his parents' car - the last in line - into a torch. Strapped in his child seat, he was engulfed in flames. Seared over 85 percent of his body, he was burned beyond recognition.

Faith digest
Baked goods and a white elephant sale will be part of the bazaar at 8 a.m. today at Cliffwood Presbyterian Church, 2525 Lumpkin Road. Breakfast and lunch will be available.

Synagogue membership fees deter some worshippers
ATLANTA - When the Jewish New Year begins at sundown Monday, Jews across the world will usher in a 10-day period of spiritual intensity called the Days of Awe to atone those they've wronged. To some, participating in the holy days also will make an impact on their wallets.

Burn victim will not let car accident ruin his life
Joel Sonnenberg was just 2 when a tractor-trailer veered into a line of cars at a New York tollbooth and turned his parents' car - the last in line - into a torch. Strapped in his child seat, he was engulfed in flames. Seared over 85 percent of his body, he was burned beyond recognition.

Would you believe ... 'Get Smart' rules
Don Adams survived the jungles of Guadalcanal, was a commercial artist, comedian and drill sergeant, and provided the voice for both Tennessee Tuxedo and Inspector Gadget, but what he'll be remembered for is the phone he kept in his wingtip.

Would you believe ... 'Get Smart' rules
Don Adams survived the jungles of Guadalcanal, was a commercial artist, comedian and drill sergeant, and provided the voice for both Tennessee Tuxedo and Inspector Gadget, but what he'll be remembered for is the phone he kept in his wingtip.

Cowell says 'Idol' fans should expect scandals
SAN FRANCISCO - "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul dodged questions about a review that Fox said found no evidence that she had an affair with a former contestant, and Simon Cowell said viewers can expect more scandals among competitors.

Cowell says 'Idol' fans should expect scandals
SAN FRANCISCO - "American Idol" judge Paula Abdul dodged questions about a review that Fox said found no evidence that she had an affair with a former contestant, and Simon Cowell said viewers can expect more scandals among competitors.